Writing series

Persuasive or argumentative essays

In persuasive or argumentative writing, we try to convince others to agree with our facts, share our values, accept our argument and conclusions, and adopt our way of thinking.
Elements toward building a good persuasive essay include
o o o o o o

establishing facts to support an argument clarifying relevant values for your audience (perspective) prioritizing, editing, and/or sequencing the facts and values in importance to build the argument forming and stating conclusions "persuading" your audience that your conclusions are based upon the agreed-upon facts and shared values having the confidence to communicate your "persuasion" in writing

Here are some strategies to complete a persuasive writing assignment: Write out the questions in your own words. Think of the questions posed in the assignment while you are reading and researching. Determine
o o o o

facts any sources that will help you determine their reliability (as well as for further reference) what prejudices lie in the argument or values that color the facts or the issue what you think of the author's argument

List out facts; consider their importance: prioritize, edit, sequence, discard, etc. Ask yourself "What's missing?"

What are the "hot buttons" of the issue? List possible emotions/emotional reactions and recognize them for later use Start writing a draft! (refer to: Writing essays, the basics) Start as close as possible to your reading/research Do not concern yourself with grammar or spelling
o

o o o

Write your first paragraph Introduce the topic Inform the reader of your point of view! Entice the reader to continue with the rest of the paper! Focus on three main points to develop Establish flow from paragraph to paragraph Keep your voice active Quote sources to establish authority Stay focused on your point of view throughout the essay Focus on logical arguments Don't lapse into summary in the development--wait for the conclusion Conclusion Summarize, then conclude, your argument Refer to the first paragraph/opening statement as well as the main points does the conclusion restate the main ideas? reflect the succession and importance of the arguments logically conclude their development? Edit/rewrite the first paragraph to better telegraph your development and conclusion. Take a day or two off! Re-read your paper with a fresh mind and a sharp pencil Ask yourself: Does this make sense? Am I convinced? Will this convince a reader? Will they understand my values, and agree with my facts? Edit, correct, and re-write as necessary Check spelling and grammar! Have a friend read it and respond to your argument. Were they convinced? Revise if necessary Turn in the paper Celebrate a job well done, with the confidence that you have done your best.

How to respond to criticism: Consider criticism as a test of developing your powers of persuasion. Try not to take it personally. If your facts are criticized, double check them, and then cite your sources. If your values are criticized, sometimes we need agree "to disagree".Remember: your success in persuading others assumes that the other person is open to being persuaded! Fear: If you are not used to communicating, especially in writing, you may need to overcome fear on several levels. Writing, unlike unrecorded speech, is a permanent record for all to see, and the "context" is not as important as in speech where context "colors" the words. For example: your readers do not see you, only your words. They do not know what you look like, where you live, who you are. Hopefully in school, and class, we have a safe place to practice both the art of writing and of persuasion. Then later, when we are in our communities, whether work, church, neighborhoods, and even families, we can benefit from this practice. Persuasion also has another dimension: it is built with facts, which illustrate conclusions. Of course, this means you need to know what you are talking about, and cannot be lazy with your facts, or you will not succeed in convincing anyone. This shows another level of fear: Fear of making a mistake that will make your argument or persuasion meaningless. Since you are writing, and the words are on paper for all to see (or on a web site!), you need to work to make sure your facts are in order.

Expository essays
When writing your expository essay, follow these eight basic steps:
o o

Select a topic: Be sure the topic is narrow enough to make it manageable within the space of an essay Write a thesis sentence: Be sure the thesis statement(or sentence) expresses a controlling idea that is neither too broad nor too specific to be developed effectively Select a method of development: Check through all the methods before you finally settle on the one which will best serve your thesis:

definition | example | compare and contrast | cause and effect | classification | process analysis
o

Organize the essay: Begin by listing the major divisions which the body paragraphs in your essay will discuss; then fill in the primary supports that each body paragraph of the essay will contain Write topic sentences for the body paragraphs of the essay: For each body paragraph, furnish a topic sentence that directly relates to the thesis sentence Write the body paragraphs of the essay: Each body paragraph should develop the primary support covered in that paragraph's topic sentence Furnish a paragraph of introduction: An introductory paragraph should state the thesis of the essay, introduce the divisions in the body paragraphs of the essay, and gain the interest of the reader Write a paragraph of conclusion: Restate the thesis and divisions of the essay Bring the essay to an appropriate and effective close Avoid digressing into new issues

Source: Ida Masters Hollowell, James A. Levernier, A. Franklin Parks, Structuring Paragraphs: A Guide to Effective Writing. 2nd ed. New York: St. Martin's,1986.

The Five Paragraph Essay

The five paragraph essay measures a student's basic writing skills, and is often a timed exercise.
Use this Guide to help you practice and succeed at this form of writing. Getting started means getting organized: Analyze the assignment; determine what is required. With a highlighter, note important words that define the topic. Then organize your plan For example, you have been given this writing prompt: You have a present that was really memorable. It could have been given for an important occasion or just for no reason at all. Tell us about the present and why it was memorable. Include the reason it was given, a description of it, and how you felt when you got it.

The objective is to write a narrative essay about this present you were given The subject is a memorable present The three main subtopics are:
o o o

the reason it was given a description of it and how you felt when you got it

Outline your five paragraph essay; include these elements: Introductory Paragraph General Topic Sentence: memorable present 1. 2. 3. 4. Subtopic One: the reason it was given Subtopic Two: a description of it Subtopic Three: how you felt when you got it (Transition)

First Supporting Paragraph 1. Restate Subtopic One 2. Supporting Details or Examples 3. (Transition) Second Supporting Paragraph 1. Restate Subtopic Two 2. Supporting Details or Examples 3. (Transition) Third Supporting Paragraph 1. Restate Subtopic Three 2. Supporting Details or Examples 3. (Transition) Closing or Summary Paragraph 1. Synthesis and conclusion of the thesis 2. Rephrasing main topic and subtopics. Write the essay!

Think small; build the full essay gradually. Divide your essay into sections and develop each piece separately and incrementally. The Introductory Paragraph
o

The opening paragraph sets the tone It not only introduces the topic, but where you are going with it (the thesis). If you do a good job in the opening, you will draw your reader into your "experience." Put effort up front, and you will reap rewards. Write in the active voice It is much more powerful. Do that for each sentence in the introductory essay. Unless you are writing a personal narrative, do not use the pronoun "I." Varying sentence structure Review to avoid the same dull pattern of always starting with the subject of the sentence. Brainstorm to find the best supporting ideas The best supporting ideas are the ones about which you have some knowledge. If you do not know about them, you cannot do a good job writing about them. Don't weaken the essay with ineffective argument. Practice writing introductory paragraphs on various topics Even if you do not use them, they can be compared with the type of writing you are doing now. It is rewarding to see a pattern of progress.

Supporting Paragraphs
o o o

Write a transition to establish the sub-topic Each paragraph has to flow, one to the next. Write the topic sentence The transition can be included in the topic sentence. Supporting ideas, examples, details must be specific to the sub-topic The tendency in supporting paragraphs is to put in just about anything. Avoid this: the work you have made above with details and examples will help you keep focused. Vary sentence structure Avoid repetitious pronouns and lists Avoid beginning sentences the same way (subject + verb + direct object).

The Ending or Summary Paragraph This is a difficult paragraph to write effectively. You cannot assume that the reader sees your point
o o

Restate the introductory thesis/paragraph with originality Do not simply copy the first paragraph Summarize your argument with some degree of authority this paragraph should leave your reader with no doubt as to your position or conclusion of logic

Be powerful as this is the last thought that you are leaving with the reader.

Edit and revise your essay Check your spelling and grammar Subjects and verbs agree, and verb tenses are consistent Examine your whole essay for logic Thought builds and flows? Avoid gaps in logic, or too much detail. Review individual sentences
o o

Use active verbs to be more descriptive Avoid passive constructions and the verb "to be" Use transitional words and phrases Avoid sentences beginning with pronouns, constructions as "There are....," Example: "There is a need to proofread all works" becomes "Proofreading is a must." Be concise though vary the length and structure of sentences

Ask a knowledgeable friend to review and comment on your essay and to repeat back what you are trying to say. You may be surprised.
http://www.studygs.net/fiveparag.htm